At what distance from a mass M does the gravitational potential become zero?

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Question: At what distance from a mass M does the gravitational potential become zero?

Options:

Correct Answer: At infinity

Solution:

The gravitational potential becomes zero at infinity, as V approaches zero as r approaches infinity.

At what distance from a mass M does the gravitational potential become zero?

At what distance from a mass M does the gravitational potential become zero?

Step 1: Understand that gravitational potential (V) is a measure of the potential energy per unit mass at a point in a gravitational field.
Step 2: Know that the gravitational potential due to a mass M at a distance r is given by the formula V = -GM/r, where G is the gravitational constant.
Step 3: Recognize that as the distance r increases (moves away from the mass M), the value of V becomes less negative.
Step 4: Realize that as r approaches infinity (very far away from the mass), the value of V approaches zero.
Step 5: Conclude that the gravitational potential becomes zero at an infinite distance from the mass M.

Gravitational Potential – Gravitational potential is the work done per unit mass to bring a mass from infinity to a point in the gravitational field.
Distance and Gravitational Potential – The gravitational potential decreases as the distance from the mass increases, approaching zero at infinity.